CO129-542-3 Foreshore and Sea-bed Works Bill- correspondence 9-1-1933 - 16-8-1933 — Page 100

Sir,

COPY.

HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

5th May, 1933.

100

I have the honour to state with reference to

Government'sletter No.4305/30, dated 29th March, 1933,

enclosing amended draft of the Bill intituled the Foreshore

& Sea Bed Works Ordinance, 1933, that the General Committee

has taken the opinion of the Legal Sub-Committee of the

Chamber, which is as follows :-

The Bill as now re-drafted is the same as the original

Ordinance except that (1) "the Governor-in-Council" is

substituted as the body to authorise the works for "the

Legislative Council or the Finance Committee thereof";

(2) Provision is now made for notice of provisional approval of any works to be published in the Gazette during a period

of three months and also by proclamation in the Chinese

language posted in some suitable place on or near the area

affected. Objections to the work can be made to the

Director of Public Works: these are to be considered by

the Governor-in-Council and the objectors will have the

opportunity of appearing in person or by Counsel or Solicitor

The Governor-in-Council is required to consider the

objections and also the public benefit that would accrue by

over-ruling them.

If the work is definitely approved, this is to be published in the Gazette and the person affected or alleged to be affected may claim compensation.

The Bill provides that on the works being definitely

approved, the person affected shall send particulars of his

claim in writing and the amount which he seeks to recover to the Director of Public Works, and failing an acceptable offer for settlement being made by the Government within two months of such delivery, the claimant may within one month

Page 100Page 101